It started with paving – now a new initiative is giving rangatahi a chance to build a path to a better future.
As a member of the Aranui Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), Constable Grant Ross spends a lot of time with young people in the community. He says disengaged youth are causing a lot of harm.
“School isn't for everyone, and if kids aren’t engaged in school they’ll find something else to get involved in,” says Grant, who also happens to be a former teacher.
“Although they may not be model students, some of these kids who are struggling are actually really motivated – they just need the right opportunity.”
Using an idea he was entrusted with by a colleague, Grant set about to create that opportunity – a way for disengaged young people to see and experience potential employment options in their local community.
Grant approached HEB Construction - a large infrastructure company looking to give back to the community - and Haeata Community Campus, and together they hatched a plan.
Ten students, who for many reasons weren’t engaging with school, were invited to participate in ‘Ngā Huarahi – paving future pathways for our rangatahi’, a hands-on day with the HEB team where they got to learn, build and hopefully be inspired.
The day began with introductions and a health and safety briefing before the team headed to HEB’s Christchurch premises to start work on a new outdoor paved courtyard for employees to enjoy during their breaks.
After being given safety equipment, they got straight on to the tools, learning from HEB staff and constructing a real project. They were also taken offsite to a roading project, to see the team at work there.
The best part of the day, Grant says, was watching the students’ reactions when some of the HEB staff and supporters shared their personal stories.
“It’s one thing to have a teacher or police officer talk about making the right choices, but when these guys spoke, you could see the kids really listened.
“People got up and talked about their own upbringing, about why they did what they did and how working for HEB has given them opportunities.
"They heard these guys go from ‘I was in an abusive family and got involved in a gang', to ‘Now I’ve got my own family, I’m making this much money, and I’m a team leader’.
“You could literally see how, after just a few words from the right people, the students looked up and started nodding their heads. That was priceless.”
Of the 10 students who attended, two have left school (where they weren't attending) to work for HEB full-time and three are participating in a workplace experience programme, where they spend one day of the school week at HEB doing paid work experience.
This becomes full-time work in the holidays, and full-time paid employment when they finish school.
“These are vulnerable kids,” Grant says. “They could easily find themselves involved in a lifestyle that may seem easy but leads to criminality.
"Hopefully we’re helping them find some self-worth that’s going to set them up well to take a different path.
“Whether they want to pursue a career with HEB or if it just opened their eyes a little to the possibilities, either way it’s a win.”
Since the first Ngā Huarahi event, Christchurch City Council has provided a piece of land for the programme, which HEB can use for work experience days for anyone who is keen to learn.
“It’s not just for students,” Grant explains. “I’ve referred three people to the programme following vehicle stops and just having a conversation. They were looking for work but had no idea how to go about it or where to start.
“I’m proud of the role I have had to play in this initiative, but now that I’ve opened the doors, it’s up to our community partners to walk through and lead it from here.”